gary navarre on mon 4 feb 08
--- Paul Haigh wrote:
> Now that I have my wood kiln firing well, I have to
> think about getting rid of some pots :) I've never
> sold a pot in my life.
>
Is it often through funky
> galleries in the city? My family/friends always say
> how cool they think it is- but you know that their
> encouragement is probably colored and doesn't
> indicate that some Joe off the street will part with
> hard earned duckets for a piece- functional or not.
> I'll keep making them because I like them.
>
> Thanks,
> Paul Haigh
> Londonderry, NH
You might try the local farmers/flea markets. That's
what the average Joe usually tells me when I talk
about selling pots... as soon as I get my Bourry box
kiln finished. The guy that's building it wants more
money and some time off so he can do some serious
drinking. I got the money but I don't have the time.
What does you're stuff look like again? May be true
you can't sell what ya haven't got but one load does
not make an inventory. Don't give up your day job and
stay in there eh!
Gary Navarre
Navarre Pottery
Navarre Enterprises
Norway, Michigan, USA
http://public.fotki.com/GindaUP/
http://www.youtube.com/GindaUP
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Paul Haigh on mon 4 feb 08
Now that I have my wood kiln firing well, I have to think about getting rid of some pots :) I've never sold a pot in my life.
My Bourry box kiln tends to give some nice heavy ash deposits- especially on the bottom 2 shelves (no step between the fire box and the ware platform- requiring very tight stacking on low shelves). Nothing was crusty in the last firing either, owing to a good soak at top temp.
Still- even with what I think are great results, it seems that woodfired pots are more appreciated by potters than the public (sort of like King Crimson being music for musicians rather than radio listeners). Areas of the kiln getting less ash would be better for more colorful glazes of course, but what about my wonderful drippy on one side vases and moonshine jugs?
Can anyone selling this sort of stuff give me an idea of what sort of customers are interested in that? (not as much Japanese influenced forms, and not heavily snotty globbed pieces, but serious blasting on one side). Is it often through funky galleries in the city? My family/friends always say how cool they think it is- but you know that their encouragement is probably colored and doesn't indicate that some Joe off the street will part with hard earned duckets for a piece- functional or not. I'll keep making them because I like them.
Thanks,
Paul Haigh
Londonderry, NH
Hank Murrow on mon 4 feb 08
On Feb 4, 2008, at 7:08 AM, Paul Haigh wrote:
> Now that I have my wood kiln firing well, I have to think about
> getting rid of some pots :) I've never sold a pot in my life.
>
> My Bourry box kiln tends to give some nice heavy ash deposits-
> especially on the bottom 2 shelves (no step between the fire box
> and the ware platform- requiring very tight stacking on low
> shelves). Nothing was crusty in the last firing either, owing to a
> good soak at top temp.
>
> Still- even with what I think are great results, it seems that
> woodfired pots are more appreciated by potters than the public
> (sort of like King Crimson being music for musicians rather than
> radio listeners). Areas of the kiln getting less ash would be
> better for more colorful glazes of course, but what about my
> wonderful drippy on one side vases and moonshine jugs?
>
> Can anyone selling this sort of stuff give me an idea of what sort
> of customers are interested in that? (not as much Japanese
> influenced forms, and not heavily snotty globbed pieces, but
> serious blasting on one side). Is it often through funky galleries
> in the city? My family/friends always say how cool they think it
> is- but you know that their encouragement is probably colored and
> doesn't indicate that some Joe off the street will part with hard
> earned duckets for a piece- functional or not. I'll keep making
> them because I like them.
>
Dear Paul;
I think that sometimes somber woodfired wares need to have context
provided for your customers. So spring for some chocolate truffles to
adorn a serving dish, serve your coffee or tea in nice mugs, and
cider in tallish tumblers. Put some flowers in those crusty vases and
see how the contrast of the soft colorful flowers are set off by the
stony textures of the vase. All my comments apply to home/studio
sale, as that will be the most fruitful way for you to start selling.
Outfit a room in your house, or a space in the studio for an
occasional showroom and invite those friends and friendly potters to
see what you have done. I find that a serving or two of bubbly
produces more sales, as much due to the festive air as the alcohol.
My Valentines Studio Sale is next weekend, and i am looking forward
to the contact with those who savor my work.
James and Sherron Bowen on mon 4 feb 08
Hank said: "Put some flowers in those crusty vases and see how the contrast
of the soft colorful flowers are set off by the stony textures of the vase."
I bought that book "Japanese wood fired ceramics" and it has some
examples of what Hank is talking about. If you could come up with a catchy
description and some excellent pictures then a piece or two on eBay is a
good start.
Mostly I recommend just photos of the object but in your case a picture or
two with some context to give folks some idea on why they would want to buy
the pot and what they might use it for. Are there any interior decorators
there that might be interested in your stuff?
JB
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hank Murrow"
To:
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 11:28 AM
Subject: Re: Marketing woodfired shtuff
> On Feb 4, 2008, at 7:08 AM, Paul Haigh wrote:
Lee on tue 5 feb 08
On Feb 5, 2008 12:08 AM, Paul Haigh wrote:
> Now that I have my wood kiln firing well, I have to think about getting rid
>of some pots :) I've never sold a pot in my life.
Paul, since you have never sold before, don't sweat the small stuff.
Stick the work out there and see how people react.
One thing I learned during my apprenticeship was the
after firing care that is given to wood fired pots, to make them more
appealing to the touch. We did a lot of polishing. It doesn't
work for some kinds of firing, but I have always been drawn to
woodfired work used for everyday.
--
Lee in Mashiko, Tochigi Japan
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
"Tea is nought but this: first you heat the water, then you make the
tea. Then you drink it properly. That is all you need to know."
--Sen No Rikyu
"Let the beauty we love be what we do." - Rumi
Ed Bull on tue 5 feb 08
Hank had great advice about context and presention.
(At our studio there are many of us who drool over Hank's pots,
but then again, we're potters, and we love his articles also.)
And the crustier the pots get, the more esoteric the customer base.
Since you haven't sold yet, but are getting ready, a home show is great.
You will get a lot of support and it's a great way to start.
You're probably really enthusiastic about the wood firing method and
this will come through when you expain it over and over and over again!
Think about putting together a little note about how it's done with some
digital pictures. You can have this up for people to read.
Maybe a half page version for people to take with them.
Have fun with it!
My parter, Gail, and I used to do a yearly show and built up a following.
We haven't done it the last two years and people get mad at us for that.
We'd have some friends playing guitars on the back deck, make some
nice food, get some soda, cider, beer and wine and make an event of it.
People had a great time and we sold some pottery too.
We made it clear to everyone we invited that they were under no obligation
and we really wanted everyone to see what we'd made in the course of a
year.
It was as much a party and celebration as anything.
If you love firing and exploring, you will have good results,
Cheers and the best of luck,
Ed Bull
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